Maybe a little pricey, but how about a decorative rain barrel like this one I got at Amazon? I don't know how to link directly, but it's called Algreen 81111 Cascata Rain Water Collection and Storage System, 65-Gallon, Dark Brown. I have one right next to my front door & I get a lot of compliments on it. We used a copper rain chain with it & it looks really nice. There's an optional planter on top of the rain barrel. It's pretty shallow, but the mint that I've planted in it doesn't seem to mind (like mint is selective about where it grows!)

Good idea on the green salad, marie. Healthy didn't even cross my mind but they will like it - probably crave it. LOL Thanks. Glenda, sit down. Read "game"...."tailgate".... It's October! Animals? That diner food gotta be addling your brain. It. is. college. football. time. Everybody needs a fun passion. Just wanted some ideas to go along with chili cuz I'm physically fried getting ready for 15 people to invade my home. Lemme break it down for ya, GF. A flock of Oregon Ducks are gonna be chasing a Colorado Buffalo herd, or vice versa, depending on who has the football, that oblong ball thingie that bounces crazy. A guy keeps score on how many times that ball goes over that last line, in control of some one's son's hand, or up through the sticks. Then, everyone shows up at my house to eat. Just trying to get my ducks in a row (Bahahahaha - I still got it). Two days of flu with a 102 temp. Just be nice and not be stupid/mean.

If the ribbons mean a lot to you or your daughter then you should do a nice display. But don't feel a sense of guilt if you'd rather put them in a box and store them away. They aren't part of your personal history with the dog, they are someone else's memories. The dog doesn't care about them :) We occasionally discuss on here people's guilt and feelings of responsibility about hand me downs that they feel no connection with. To me, the ribbons may fall into the same category.

This room is complicated to work with in general due to too many doors and walkways which will greatly limit your options. Do you plan a TV? How many family members will be using this space? I think I would try for a small grouping at the end near the kitchen and make the other end more of a entry, perhaps reading nook. As to the window, once you get your main furniture pieces decided upon (and they should all be small scale) then you can deal with the window. I could see a shelf unit beside the window with lots of plants to give some life to that end of the room. Maybe even a shelving unit in front of the window and make the whole wall a jungle of plants. Just depends on where you are and how feasible that would be. Otherwise a simple woven shade would probably be easiest.